I’ve posted a lot of Tim Halperin videos since the TCU grad was eliminated from American Idol in 2011, but I don’t think I’ve ever said this about one: His cover of Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s I Need Your Love is better than the original.

For one thing, Halperin’s vocal -- singing Goulding’s part -- is probably his best ever, as he moves just a little higher in his register and sings with gusto.

But it’s the transposition from the original’s electronic pop to Halperin’s upbeat acoustic version that makes this shine, with lots of help from Nick Brophy, who does the song’s synth riff on acoustic guitar. (Logan Krug also helps out on guitar.) Halperin also bangs on some drums while still playing the piano.

The video was directed by Jonathan Norton of Norton Visuals, based in Halperin’s hometown of Omaha, Nebr. ; audio is by Drue Humphrey, an audio engineer and sound designer at Omaha’s Westside Church. Here it is, with the original beloe for comaparison.

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